WWE SmackDown recap & reaction (8/29)

By Robert Lentini -
August 29, 2017

The Singh Brothers and Jinder Mahal came down to the ring to kick off this week’s episode of SmackDown. Jinder complained about being disrespected by Americans and went on to say that he was made to look like a fool last week by Shinsuke Nakamura. Mahal claimed that he is no fool and that he is the best WWE Champion of all time. Jinder stated that Nakamura must pay for what happened last week and Samir and Sunil Singh apologized for letting Nakamura get to Mahal last week on SmackDown.

The Singh Brothers then offered to kiss Mahal’s feet on behalf of India. As they lean in for the smooch, Nakamura’s music hits. Shinsuke comes down to the ring and pushes the Singh Brothers aside and started brawling with Ziggler. The Singh Brothers then grab Nakamura’s legs and Jinder Mahal booted Shinsuke in the face. All three started to beatdown Nakamura but Randy Orton came down to the ring for the save.

Rusev then came down to the ring and kicked Orton in the face. Jinder Mahal then planted Nakamura with the Khallas and then celebrated with the WWE Championship. Mahal and Rusev will face Orton and Nakamura later tonight. It was also announced shortly after that Randy Orton will face Shinsuke Nakamura next week. The winner of that match will get a shot at the WWE Championship.

Reaction: I thought the match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam was very boring. I’ve already seen Orton versus Mahal several times recently and all of those matches sucked as well. I am not entertained at all with the storylines surrounding the WWE Championship right now.

Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin vs The Ascension

Gable and Viktor started off the match. Gable leveled Viktor with a Clothesline and then followed it up with a knee to the chest. Benjamin was then tagged in and he got a great reaction from the crowd. Benjamin planted Viktor with a Suplex and tagged Gable back into the match. Gable then spent the next couple of minutes trapped in the ring as Konnor and Viktor took turns beating him down. Shelton Benjamin was finally tagged back in and he cleaned house. Gable launched Konnor out of the ring and then shoved Viktor towards Shelton. Benjamin connected with a Facebuster onto Viktor for the pinfall victory.

Winners: Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin

Reaction: This was a quick match but Shelton Benjamin looked good in his return to WWE. I hope this team works out because SmackDown needs more viable teams in the tag division.

Renee Young interviewed Baron Corbin backstage. Corbin said that he was sick of everyone asking “where is your briefcase?”. Corbin stated that he is going to take the United States title away from AJ Styles tonight.

AJ Styles came down to the ring for the United States Open Challenge. Tye Dillinger’s music hits and Dillinger makes his way down the entrance ramp. Baron Corbin confronted him on the stage and the two started arguing. Dillinger eventually made his way to the ring after shoving Corbin aside.

United States Championship: AJ Styles vs Tye Dillinger

Dillinger got in a little offense to start off the match and went for the Tye Breaker but AJ blocked it. AJ then quickly locked in the Calf Crusher for the easy victory.

After the match, Corbin threw Dillinger into the barricade. Corbin then tried to attack Styles but AJ was ready and hit him with a forearm to the face. Styles then raised the United States Championship as Corbin threw a tantrum ringside.

Winner & Still United States Champion: AJ Styles

Jinder Mahal approached Rusev backstage. Jinder said that it was great that the nations of India and Bulgaria are teaming up to crush Shinsuke Nakamura and Jinder Mahal. Rusev stated that he is not Mahal’s friend and that he came to SmackDown to win a title. Rusev then said that after tonight’s match, he is coming after Mahal’s WWE Championship.

Bobby Roode vs Mike Kanellis

Roode controlled the entire match and connected with the Glorious DDT for the quick victory.

Winner: Bobby Roode

Aiden English came down to the ring to perform a song. Kevin Owens quickly interrupted and stated that none of these hillbillies in the crowd will comprehend English’s song. Owens then asked for English to leave the ring and Aiden obliged. Owens then went on to complain about Shane McMahon being the referee in last week’s US Championship match.

Owens said that this would never happen on RAW because Stephanie McMahon would never abuse her power like Shane McMahon does. Owens called Shane McMahon and ego maniac and Shane McMahon came down to the entrance ramp. Owens said that here is Shane McMahon to take all the spotlight away from the talent and place it upon himself.

Shane explained that Owens picked Baron Corbin to be the referee last week. Corbin was extremely biased and that caused Shane to come down to the ring. Corbin then left the ring and threw his referee shirt at Shane McMahon. Shane stated that Owens lost the match last week fair and square. Shane said that everyone is sick and tired of listening to Owens complain. Shane then told Owens to leave the ring and for Aiden English to get back into the ring because he has a match against Sami Zayn.

Sami Zayn vs Aiden English

Kevin Owens joined commentary for the match. Owens scolded Byron Saxton for a minute and then said that he was sick of referees not being able to do their job. Owens then got into the ring and took the shirt of the referee in the ring. Owens put on the referee shirt and hit Sami Zayn with a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Owens then instructed English to pin Zayn and Owens counted to three. Owens then threw the shirt at the referee ringside after the match.

Winner: Aiden English

Reaction: Kevin Owens ripping Byron Saxton on commentary is always hilarious. Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon are currently one of the only storylines I find moderately interesting on SmackDown right now.

Shane McMahon was interviewed backstage. Shane said that he was pissed off at what Kevin Owens just did. Shane said that the match did not count and that Sami Zayn did not lose that match. Shane also revealed that Owens has already left the arena and that Shane was going to do the same himself.

Dolph Ziggler was interviewed backstage. Ziggler was supposed to return to the ring this week but Ziggler stated that will not happen. Ziggler was asked why he felt the need for a change and Dolph proceeded to go on a rant about always being overlooked. Ziggler said that maybe he will come down to the ring on a motorcycle with a guitar and that hopefully people would finally notice him. Ziggler mocked John Cena’s “you can’t see me motion”. Ziggler threw out the idea of putting paint on his face because when Finn Balor does it people seem to forget that he is a charisma vacuum. Dolph said that he will return to the ring next week and provide all flash and no substance.

Reaction: I have no idea where this is going. I’m guessing that Ziggler is going to keep doing this for a couple more weeks before he finally gets into the ring. Whatever this leads to, I just don’t see things working out for Ziggler anymore. I hope I’m wrong but I think it is asking a lot of the WWE Universe to believe in Dolph Ziggler again.

The Usos vs New Day (Winner Picks Stipulation For Tag Title Match)

Xavier Woods came down to the ring with a knee brace on. Woods has a sprained MCL and will miss about a month of in-ring action. SmackDown went to a break before the match started. When SmackDown returned, Big E was trapped in the ring. He finally was able to tag in Kofi who cleaned house. Big E got Superkicked in the face and he fell to the floor. Jimmy Uso then rolled Kofi up while grabbing his tights for the pinfall victory. The Usos will now pick the stipulation for when they defend the titles against New Day.

Winners: The Usos

Reaction: The theme of the night seems to be quick matches. The Usos now get to pick the stipulation for the rematch. I’ve enjoyed this feud for the most part and I think these two teams work well together. I will be interested in the match no matter what the stipulation is.

Ellsworth and Carmella were backstage. Ellsworth apologized for screwing up Carmella’s plan to cash in last week on SmackDown. Natalya showed up and it was announced that she will be facing Carmella next week on SmackDown. Natalya warned Carmella that if she ever cashed in her MITB contract on her, she will make her the Baron Corbin of the women’s division.

Carmella told Natalya to keep the SmackDown Women’s Championship shiny for her and then left with Ellsworth. Naomi then interrupted and said that she will be getting her rematch for the SmackDown Women’s Championship in two weeks on SmackDown. Naomi then made a couple of meow noises to Natalya then walked away.

Tamina vs Tina Stock

Tamina dominated and won the match with ease as Lana shouted ringside with a microphone. After the match, Lana raised Tamina’s hand and photographers came into the ring to take pictures of Lana and Tamina. Lana had a giant grin on her face and Tamina didn’t seem pleased.

Winner: Tamina

Another episode of Fashion Files was shown. Breezango put on a friendship bracelet. Breeze then shut the lights out and put on his blacklight. There were arrows on boxes that led to a sign that said “Two B or not Two B”.

Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton vs Rusev & Jinder Mahal

Orton and Nakamura attacked Rusev and Mahal before the match as SmackDown went to commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Nakamura was trapped in the ring. Shinsuke eventually tagged in Orton and he cleaned house. The Singh Brothers hopped up on the ring apron and distracted Orton. Mahal capitalized and beatdown Orton. Mahal and Rusev then isolated Orton in the ring for the next few minutes.

Rusev connected with a kick to Orton’s face for a two count. Mahal was then tagged in and he hit a knee to Orton’s chest for another two count. Orton finally got to the corner to tag in Nakamura. Rusev was also tagged back in the match. Rusev missed with a right hand and Nakamura locked in an Arm Bar. Mahal then broke it up and Orton went to plant him with the DDT between the ropes but Mahal fell off the ropes. Orton then hit Mahal with a DDT and Jinder rolled out of the ring. Shinsuke then hit Rusev with the Kinshasa for the victory.

After the match, Orton and Mahal shared a laugh and celebrated in the ring. Orton then hit an RKO out of nowhere on Nakamura and then posed in the corner as SmackDown went off the air.

Winners: Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton

Reaction: I’m sure the DDT spot with Mahal on the ropes will make it’s way to Botchamania soon. I was glad Orton hit Nakamura with the RKO because at least something exciting happened on tonight’s show. Orton versus Nakamura next week should be a decent match and I’m looking forward to it. The problem is that the winner of that match has to go on to face Jinder Mahal, which is guaranteed to be a mediocre match at best.

Overall, SmackDown was pretty boring this week in my opinion. I find RAW to be the much more entertaining show than SmackDown recently. There was a significant portion of last year where I thought SmackDown was putting on way better shows than RAW every week. That has completely reversed and SmackDown now feels formulaic and boring.